HIV Testing
More than a million Americans are estimated to be living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and one-fourth do not know they are infected. Although HIV is preventable, every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV, the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine health care should include HIV screening for patients 13 to 64 years of age. People at high risk for HIV infection should be screened at least once a year.
Many people who are infected with HIV look healthy, feel fine, and do not have symptoms for years. The only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested. Knowing if you have HIV empowers you to prevent the spread of the disease and take steps to protect your health.
The Allegany County Health Department provides confidential HIV counseling and testing every Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a walk-in basis, or you can schedule an appointment by calling 301-759-5138.
For more information on testing, go to http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/qa.htm.
For more information on the risk factors for HIV transmission and prevention, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nineandahalfminutes.
To find an HIV testing site near you, visit http://www.hivtest.org.
